Shoe-bottom filler and method of making the same.



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANDREW THOMA, OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, A SSIGNOR TO, NORTH AMERICAN CHEMICAL COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

SHOE-BOTTOM FILLER AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 11, 1908. Serial No. 432,083.

No Drawing.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ANDREW THOMA, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Cambridge, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Shoe-Bottom Fillers and Methods of Making the Same, of which'the' following description is a specification.

My present inventions relate to a shoe-bottom filler and its manufacture, although not restricted thereto, my filler being an improvement on the previous inventions of my Patents Nos. 832,002; 855,868; 861,555. These patents relate to waxy, sticky, cementitious compounds, which when restricted to a shoe-bottom filler, preferably have a granular nature. The granules, as for instance of cork, are coated with a permanently sticky, gummy mass forming a reoutersole of a welt shoe.

silient, waterproof, compact body when cold, the binding agent being rendered soft and fluid at a low melting heat, and capable ofsetting quickly when placed in a sh bottom, then forming a compact, but resilient, layer between the innersole and the In my present filler, I aim to retain the special advantages of my previous inventions; as to the permanency of the adhesive qualities and the nonoxidizing character of the cementitious materi all or binder, which remains substantially the same to the end, while at the same time getting rid of certain disadvantages, as particularly the sensitiveness to heat after once set, the tendency to follow the knife or 'dauber or spatula when being laid,the liability of the waxy or gummy binder to penetrate or be absorbed by the ground cork (or other granular body), etc.

My filler invention, broadly stated, consists of a shoe-bottom filler having a waxybase, combined with a restraining agent of a pasty nature, the proportions being such that the compound is firm under practicable conditions of temperature in use, elastic, and sleek under a smoothing iron or daubing tool when applied to the shoe or leather. In other words, my invention, broadly r stated, resides in providing a shoe-bottom filler of the kind explained in my above pat ents (embracing a comminuted fibrous or granular bodyunitedby a waxy or gummy, sticky, heat-sensitive binder) with a stiffen- Patented July 9, 1912.

ing controller which, when set, is not sensitive to heat, whereby substantially all the advantages of my previous fillers are retained but the tendency thereof to flux or soften unduly in the shoe in the presence of low heat is substantially eliminated. I have found that by combining a paste-making ingredient, preferably one which becomes pasty or mushy when moistened with water and then stifi'ens when it parts with the water, such as dextrin or flour (or any of the list of such vegetable, animal, or mineral stifleners hereinafter mentioned), with the sticky waxy binding material (of my patents above) I get various surprising results, as for example the natural tendency of the paste to dry out and become brittle is no longer present, but the compound has the permanent resiliency and stickiness of the waxy or gmnmy compound, excepting that it is modified in degree, the natural tendency of the paste to keep on drying until brittle and to become soggy and heavy is no longer presont, but on the contrary it sets quickly, in accordance with the nature of the quicksetting waxy or gummy compound (as explained in my patents above), the natural sensitiveness to low heat of the waxy compound is no longer present, but, when once set, it has a remarkably firm, tough, and still resilient character, being -very much like leather in this respect, and not liable to soften under mild heat as before, the compound when first heated for application to a 'shoe is subservient to moisture, even to wet steam in the preferred composition, which unites with the past-y component and gives it a sleek, smooth surface which permits the molding knife or tool to slip smoothly over it when pressing it into a shoe bottom, and finally it is softer, and hence more easily crowded and molded into the shoe cavity because of the presence of the pasty ingredient, while on the other hand, when it has finally set it quickly be comes, not only permanently set, but tougher, stronger, and more leather likethan with out the pasty ingredient. There are other advantages besides the six principal advantages just mentioned, such as the easy and convenient process of manufacture, the

i above referred to be stiffened by a little shoe manufacturer and the filler manufacturer, the chief object of the invention is to provide, by admixing a stiffening component with the waxy or gummy granular filler, a-controlling force or influence over the subsequent fiuxing or tendency to soften of the waxy or gummy filler after it is-in the shoe and possibly on the wearers foot.

A shoe filler possessing in itself a permanent inherent cohesiveness and adheslveness is of the greatest value, especially when the cementing-agent allows! itself to be easily manipulated by the sinrple use of alow heat, but-when once installed in a shoe bottom it is of decided disadvantage to have, the filler capable of again melting or softeningand shifting position in the shoe under the influence of low heat. In my foundation Patent No. 832,002 of September 25, 1906, and my Patent No. 861,555 of July 30, 1907 (which is ancillary to the earlier patent) I have specified and claimed a non-oxidizing,

permanently plastic, nick-setting mass, composed of comminute cork, each granule. of which is coated with a 'permanently sticky binder containing a waxy material, such for instance as resinous residuum of petroleum or wax tailings. This. mass makes a good filler under ordinary conditions of use, but I find that if shoes containing this filler are subjected to prolonged exposure to undue heat, as by standing them over a hot radiator, the fillermay soften and shift under the pressure of the foot, and accordingly one of the main objects of my present invention is to provide acompound which, when it has once been .put 1nplace and caused to set, will not soften or respond readily to such outside heat but will remain tough, and yet will retain; substantially all of the leading advantages which have made -myprevious shoe fillers and ceinentitious compounds valuable and acceptable. I have found that if the permanently sticky mass paste, preferably aqueous, its character,

while still retaining its elastic and water-r proof qualities, is much improved in that it will stand any heat within the limit of the ordinary resisting capacity of leather, without becoming either mushy or crumbly. The cementitious binding agent as described inthe patents referred to is of a gummy nature, readily influenced by heat, and I still use the same binding materials, and the same granular portions of cork or other equiva ent' comminutedmaterial, and the same general treatment of mixing the component parts to produce my present product. The paste I prefer to use is ordinary starch paste, but I may use, instead of starch paste, any of the well-known pasty stiffeners or materials which maybe moistened or mixed into a paste becoming when set a firm binding agent not softening .under heat, as described, whether'of vegetable origin, as dextrin, gluten, or gum arabic, or .of animal origin, as glue, casein, albumen, .or of mineral origin as the soluble silicates :or silicic acid. In fact, I do not wish, at this point, to lay stress on any particular "material, as I desire to have my claims cover ,all substances of the general character indicated. While these pasty ingredients may be introduced into tlie filler in the form of paste, 2'. 6. wet (and cooked, when of a nagture requiring cooking in order to become pasty), I wish to mention at this point a further important feature of my invention in its preferred or more complete embodiment. 'This further important feature of my invention is so to handle the ingredients that the shoe-bottom filler may be supplied ,in ready-made form to shoe factories and: @kept until wanted for use, when its quality ;will be found to be exactly the same as when @first manufacturedl If the pasty material is inserted in the compound in the form of,

separately and fully prepared paste, the" filler must be used at once or at least soon,

because thepaste will gradually change the compound and stiffen or set it to a more or less permanently tough condltion, not sultable for subsequent application to the shoebottom, and accordingly, intorder tocarry out mylas't. mentioned object above, I pref- 'erably do not introduce the pasty ingredivent as an already made, separate mixture at the beginning, but introduce the aste-formsubsequently subjected to a heatin or to a.

moistening or steaming process w ich will then complete the formation of the pasty portion 0 the compound and thereby permit the stiffening ingredient to become active and assert its desired and ultimate stiffening influence on the filler, while at the same time permitting the latter to be expeditiouslyhandled for installationwithin the shoe bottoms. The compound as such, as already. stated, is made by introducing into the waxy or gummy components of the shoe-- bottom filler a proportionate amount of flour, starch, dextrin, casein, or other mucilaginous matter or animal, vegetable, or mineral substance, as mentioned, capable of absorbing moisture and being thereby converted into a paste through the moisture from the steam, etc.

To make my invention fully understood, I will describe it with relation to shoe-bottom filler when made by the preferred method above explained, but it will be understood that this is illustrative only and does not thereby restrict me to this embodiment, or variety of filler, as it is merely the one preferred of many coming within the purview of this patent.

A suitable portion of granulated or finely ground cork is poured into a mixer, to gether with the gluten or starchy material, such as coarse wheat flour, in :1 preferably dry state, which is preferably sifted or sprinkled uipon the ground cork until each granule of cork iscoated as evenly as may he with a layer of the powdered flour. This coated cork is then treated according to the method already described in the patents mentioned, with the waxy or gummy material there described which is a-tu'iospheri- (ally resist-ant, (2. remains unaltered or unaffected by exposure to the air, for all practical purposes of the filler) and theroughlymixed therewith. The sticky binding agents,such as resinous residuum of pc troleum or wax tailings, or a mixture of gutta-percha, resin and paraifin oil (or the other gums, pitches, resins, or distillates of my before mentioned patents) are slowly introduced in a low-heated condition until each gluten-covered cork granule is also enveloped Wit-h an exceedingly thin coating of the pitehy material. This forms the tiller, as such, for the market, capable of being kept thus until used. Afterward, in use, the mixture is subjected to live steam until the starch is converted into paste, more or less disseminated through the mass. The flour (still using thesame paste-fori'ning or stiffener ingredient by way of illustration) and resinous waxy ingredients, after becoming intimately mixed, allow of this further admixture therewith of water in a manner not possible without the presence of the flour (i. e. of the paste-making componentwhichever one or ones may be used), and it my belief that this admixture of water separates or subdivides' the free particles of the sticky ingredients into minute parts which are enveloped with the glutinous or starchy or other stiff setting mass as mentioned in such a manner that, when the compound sets, these minute parts become a part of the paste, and are held thereby n subjection, and while serving to give ex treme stickiness and binding efliciency to the mass, the set paste prevents the latter from readily becoming soft again, and unites with the wax or gum sutticiently to prodnce'a toughness somewhat like leather, giving strength and resisting qualities. The ITIOlStlllO-SWGllQCl or jellilied pastes, or at least the moisture-laden or absorbing powders of thestifl'ener, help to keep separate minute parts of the sticky, gummy, or tarry component, thereby rendering the adhesive or sticky principle of the latter inactive, but as soon as the water has evaporated from the paste or stiffener the latter can no longer repel the particles of said sticky component within the filler body, and hence a union takes place which is of great value in effecting the results sought. The sticky component then penetrates or permeates orsweals through the entire mass, bringing to the front the waterproof principle, but without destroying the stiffening binder, which thereafter maintains the filler in a substantially non-shifting responsiveness to ordinary conditions of heat. The flour or other pasty ingredients also act, to some extent, as a stop or varnish to prevent the wax from penetrating the cork. Cork has naturally a certain proportion of resin, and as the wax tailings, gotta, and other ingredients of my composition have an affinity for this resin, there is a tendency for these materials to follow the resin into the pores of the granules, which tendency is hiridered to some extent by the starchy paste or other coating, especially when the filler is made in the manner just described by way of illustration. This preserves to a larger degree than heretofore the natural resiliency of the cork, since the latter, when charged with the wax tailings, etc., tends to become a little sluggish and to recover somewhat slowly from pressure or distortion. I have indicated but one way of getting my paste into the composition. Obviously when flour is used, heat and moisture are necessary to convert it into paste. The moisture may be supplied as indicated above by steam direct. The. granules of cork may be slightly moistened with water or other liquid before the flour is-applied to retain more of the flourcoating, if desired. If other pastes or stiffening agents are used, their appropriate solvents must of course be employed. It the hardening or softening or setting of the paste is to be accomplished by any chemical means, such means should be introduced at the proper time, with the petroleum residuum,-gutta percha, etc., or later. Thus if gelatin be used, potassium bichromate may be added to the waxy component; if casein, an alkaline substance, such as lime or borax, may be added. Some of these, as for example casein when an alkaline substance is used as aforesaid, produce an extremely sticky paste which therefore becomes in itself a strong binder and does not require such a great stickiness in the gummy or pitchy component. The casein, for instance, or for that matter starch, after being turned into a paste is naturally brittle when set,

but by employing suit-able chemical means,

as stated, this normally brittle component is combusted and expanded or swelled and thickened and at the same time becomes much more sticky, so that the waxy or gummy component need not be relied upon primarily for this purpose but only to supplement the now sticky pasty component, so far as the requirements of the filler or of the. particular kind of pasty component make necessary for further softening and waterproofing purposes. The granular or powdery casein, for instance, or starch, and the powdery alkaline substance are mixed with the cork and other components, and then, when subjected to heat and moisture,

effect a chemical change into the desired mucilaginous, cohesive condition.

Insteadof materials which are-merely potential pastes, of the character of those indicated above.v whose qualities as pastes are developed by further treatment, either physical or chemical, I may use upon the cork granules pastes which are actually such already, Thus, starch paste already liquid,

or dextrin in solution, may be mixed with or spreadupon such granules before the waxy component is applied.

The proportionate amount of gluten or other paste-forming material used varies according to the nature or format-ion of the Waxy constituents and granulated parts. I furnish herewith several formulae which I have found useful: granulated cork 6 parts by weight, coarse flour 4 parts by weight,

I gummy binding material '11 parts by weight;

or, granulated cork 8 parts by weight, dextrin 4 parts by weight, gummy binding material 14 parts by weight.

My material may be made in the factory Where it is to be used, or it may be prepared ready to be mixed in said factory with, the ground cork, but I prefer to prepare and ship it all prepared ready for use or application, when heated slightly, to the shoe bottom. For this reason, I prefer, and indeed consider as a chief feature of the more the stickiness latent, as it were, or not sufliciently active to bind the mass together with any appreciable tenacity, so that the filler mass is thereby left in a substantially granulated condition, the coated granules of cork being incapable of adhering strongly to each other as is the case in that species of filler which is contained in my Patents Nos. 832,002 and 861,555. In other words, my present invention solves in a practical way (but different from the solution of the problem as contained in said Patent 832,002) the problem of placing thefiller before the shoe manufacturers in a form which facilitates its convenient 'manipulationby the operator who desires to segregate a small mass from the larger bulk. One of the serious prob lems of my original filler, as first made prior to the invention contained in Patent No. 832,002, was that when the filler mass was put in a large package, as for instance packed. in a case or barrel, the particles would cling together with such tenacity that the entire barrelful became an unmanage able mass which could neither bebroken apart, because of its great tenacity, nor pried apart without unwarranted effort, nor melted apart on account of the large bulk and slow heat transmission. This problem accordingly is solved' by my present invention which, although providing substantially the same ultimate stickiness, maintains said stickiness latent until the filler mass has been transported to the shoe manufacturer and is in the hands of the operator and ready for use. Because of the suppression of the normally active stickiness of the gummy or sticky constituents by means of the incorporation therewith of the flour or powdery constituent, the result is that the filler mass has very little or no cohesion (whether it has any or not depending upon the proportionate amount of the gummy or pitchy component), and hence itbecomes perfectly practicable to ship it loose in bags like meal-bags or in any other form of package inasmuch as it can be readily shaken out. In the form 'in which I prefer to make it, it barely holds together, so that the operator can very readily take up a handful of it from themass without any substantial resistance being offered by the sticky component and Without any tendency of the filler to adhere to his hand. Thus, my in-' vention provides means rendering the tiller capable of convenient packaging and subsequent removal from its container and segregation for use without being molded into leaves and coated with cork, 'or other nonadhesive material, as in my Patent No. 832,002 on the one hand, and without any danger of its sticking into an unmanageable mass on the other hand. When, at any later time, it is desired to apply the filler in the shoe factory, a loaf or quantity of this mixed mass if made wit-h flour as in the the mass.

illustrative example is placed in a suitable,

steaming basin and subjected-to a thoroingh steaming or cooking, which completes the formation of the filler, said steaming or cooking bringing into immediate action the paste-forming ingredients, which are at once turned into actual paste throughout So likewise, when other stiffening agents are employed with their proper moistening solvents or afiinities required for making them into pastes, so that they will set or stiffen, as already explained, the combination is facilitated by heat or otherwise as already set forth. This feature of my invention therefore accomplishes two functions, first, it enables me to restrain or postpone the toughening and thickening of the mass until the shoe is actually filled, and, second, it provides a tiller in a sleek condition, 2''. c. steam-charged and moist (in the preferred form, as explained in the illustrative example) and having a comparatively slippery or smooth surface for the knife or tool to slide readily over at the moment the operator is filling the shoe with said filler.

My object is to introduce into my previous waxy, gummy or pitchy cementitious filler compound, sufficient pasty, drying matter to make a binder which has characteristics entirely distinct. from its principal cementing component in that it has a hardening and toughening capability and is not seriously softened or influenced by low heat,

and yet this toughening and hardening element is permanently held in check by the permanent eei'nentitious binding agent, so that the mass cannot become dry or hard and brittle. A further object in the more complete development of my invention, is to cater to the commercial Want of an economical, simple article, mixedbeforehand to be stored for an indefinite period without developing the dormant mucilaginous or pasty drying or setting, hardening, toughening and stiffening, and heat resisting principle within it, and this object is accomplished by simply introducingthe-ingr'edients, leaving their conversion into paste (and hence their hardening and setting) until the moment of use, when the compound, without requiring any further mixing or stirring, is subjected to the action of hot water or other suitable agent for forming the stiffening and toughening component which permeates every part of the mass. I prefer steam-vapor, which does not necessarily show any water present, the moisture being absorbed by the glutenor other stiffening, heat resisting component, which then never becomes inthe true sense a paste, the enveloping waxy compound which coats each particle of gluten holding the latter in check, merely allowing each minute particle or grain of the flour or starch (for example) to swpll and become at once active in producing its drying and toughening functions but not sufiiciently controlling to cause slowsetting, as might be expected of that form of paste. On the contrary, when once installed in a shoe, it sets at once so that the shoe can pass on almost immediately to the next step in its manufacture. The hardening and toughening of the mass is due to the evaporation from the gluten (for example) of the moisture, 2'. e. to its setting, and the waxy components maintain this toughness, while still retaining and maintaining the permanent pliabilily, elasticity, etc., sub-- stantially permanent and unchanged for an indefinite period extending beyond the natural life of the shoe.

I do not restrict my invention to requiring the filler to be applied hot, as the same ingredients as above set forth, may be used cold, simply by providing the completed heat-resisting properties of the tiller, the

quick-setting or jellifying may be. secured by adding a suitable chemical, preferably a powder, as, in the case of proteids, lime (producing caseinates of lime, etc.), preferably by sifting or mixing in the lime justas the filler is about to be installed. Also gelatinous matter alone admixed with my patented filler material will accomplish practical results. In the claimsI use the expression pasty component broadly to include all the stiffening and drying or heatresisting ingredients mentioned 2'. e. the ingredients herein mentioned for admixture with the previous cementit-ious components (of the filler as set forth in my patents aforesaid) to produce the new results of my present invention. All of these compounds have also the sleeking capacity, first mentioned, whereby the applying tool slips or smoothes over the layer unaided without undue dragging or clinging.

The various species herein covered generically,but not claimed herein specifically, form the subjects matter of divisional applications.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is r 1. The herein described article, consist.

ing of an atmospherically resistant, perma- 2. The. combination with a shoe-bottom 3. The herein described article, consist-- ing of a permanently pliable, adhesive mass, quick setting, having a leather-like toughness when set and heat-resistant under practicable conditions of temperature in use when fully set, substantially as set forth.

' 4. The herein described article, consisting of a permanently pliable, adhesive mass, quick setting, having a leather-like toughness when set, sleek under the smoothing iron, and heat-resistant under practicable conditions of temperature in use when fully set, substantially asset forth.

5. The herein described article, consisting of a base of filler material, united with a permanently pliable; cohesive and adhesive binder, containing a stiffening component held normally inactive, but capable of asserting itself inthe process of appli cation, substantially as set forth.

6. The herein described article, consist ing of a base of filler material, united with a permanently pliable, cohesive and adhesive binder, containing a stiffening and toughening component held normally inactive, but capable of asserting itself in the process of application, substantially as set forth.

7. The herein described article, consisting of a base of filler material, united with a permanently pliable, cohesive and adhesive binder, containing a stiifening'heatresistant and toughening component held normally inactive, but capable of asserting itself in the process of application, substantially as set forth.

8. .A permanently elastic quick setting binder consisting of a gummy base and a restraining agent of a pasty nature, the

10. The combination with comminuted proportions being such that the compound is firm under practicable conditions of temperature in use and elastic, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination with comminuted shoe filler material of a permanently elastic quick setting binder consisting of a sticky waxybase and a restraining agent of a pasty nature, the proportions being such that the filler is firm under practicable conshoe filler material, of a permanently elastic quick setting'binder consisting of a sticky waxy base and a restraining agent of a pastynaturc, the proportions/being such that the filleris firm under practicable conditions of temperature in use, yielding, and

sleek under a smoothing iron when" applied to a shoe, substantially as set forth.

11. A shoe-bottom filler, comprising fillerbody material admixed with a compound consisting of a pastemixed with a softening means. in proportion sufiicient to change the otherwise hard-settingnature of the paste to a permanently pliable, tenacious binder for said body material, substantially as set forth.

12. The combination with a shoe-bottom filler having a body of comminuted fillermaterial united by a binder comprising a component having a normal tendency to harden and become brittle when set, and a modifying component imparting permanent pliability and cohesiveness to the mass, substantially as set forth.

13. The combination with a shoe-bottom filler having a body of connninuted fillermaterial united by a binder comprising a component having a normal tendency to.

harden and become brittle when set, and a modifyingcomponent imparting permanent pliability and cohesiveness to the mass, one of'said components having a sticky property rendering the mass adhesive, substantially as set forth.

14. The combination with a shoe-bottom filler having a body of comminuted fillermat-erial united by a binder comprising aof temperature in use when fully set, substantially asset forth.

1 6. The combination with a shoe-b ottom filler having abody of comminuted filler-material united by a binder comprising a sticky mucilaginous component, having a normal tendency to harden and become brittle when set, and a softening, heat-fluxing waterproofing component acting to modify said normal hardening tendency of said other component, rendering the filler mass permanently pliable and cohesive, substantially as set forth.

17. A permanently elastic quick setting bindergconsisting of wax tailings and a modifier or restrainer, the proportions being such that the compound is firm under practicable conditions of temperature in use and elastlc, substantially as set forth.

18. The combination with comminuted filler material, of a permanently elastic quick setting binder consisting of wax tailings and a modifier or restrainer, the proportions being such that the filler is firm under practicable conditions of temperature in use and elastic, substantially as set forth.

19. The combination with comminuted filler material, of a permanently elastic quick setting binder consisting of wax tailings and a modifier or restrainer, the proportions being such that the .filler is firm under practicable conditions of temperature in use, yielding, and sleek under the smoothing iron, substantially as set forth.

20. A binder for shoe filling material containing a base ,which is substantially wax t-ailings and a paste substantially as described.

21. A binder for shoe filling material consisting of wax tailings and starch paste.

22. The herein described article, consisting of a non-volatile, permanently-adhesive and binding body, containing a paste-forming component, low-melting, and waterproof when applied in use, substantially as set forth.

23. The herein described article, consisting of a non-oxidizing, permanently-sticky base, combined with an elastic gum, and paste-producing component, and adhesive when cold, substantially as set forth.

24. The herein described article, consisting of a non-oxidizing, permanently-tacky base, combined with an e astic gum, and a hardening andtoughening agent of a past-y nature, substantially as set forth.

25.. The herein described filler, comprising filler-body-material admixed with a compound consisting of a soft, sticky gum,

and a hardening and toughening agent of a pasty nature, substantially as set forth.

26. A shoe-bottom filler, consisting of a base united with a binder into a permanently-tenacious, quick-setting, permanentlypliable mass, containing a modifier or restrainin agent of a pasty nature, and capable 0 being melted into a thin pliable I layer, filling the shoe-bottom, substantially as set forth.

27. A shoe-bottom filler, comprisingfillerbody material admixed with a compound consisting of a paste mixed with a softening means, consisting at least in art of wax tailings, in proportion suflicient to change the otherwise hard-setting nature of the paste to a permanently pliable, tenacious binder for said bodymaterial, substantially as set forth.

28. A shoe-bottom filler, consisting of a normally-substantially unchangeable, permanently-pliable, quick-setting mass, composed of a base, united with a permanentlysticky component, and a restraining agent capable of rendering the filler, when applied, heat-resistant at practicable temperatures of use, substantially as set forth.

29. A shoe-bottom filler, consisting of a normally substantially unchangeable, permanently-pliable, quick-setting mass, composed of a base, united with a permanentlysticky component, and a restraining agent capable of rendering the filler, while being applied, sleek, and thereafter heat-resistant. at practicable temperatures of use, substantially as set forth.

30. A shoe-bottom filler, consisting of a base united with a binder into a perma nently tenacious, quick setting, permanently-pliable mass, containing a modifier or restraining agent of a pasty nature capable of rendering the filler, when applied, heat-resistant at practicable temperatures of use, and of being molded into a thin pliable layer filling the shoe-bottom, substantially as set. forth.

31. A shoe-bottom filler, consisting of a normally substantially unchangeable, permanently-pliable, quick-setting mass, composed of a base, united with a permanentlysticky component having a low meltingoint, and a stiffening, toughening, restraining agent capable of rendering the filler, when applied, heat-resistant at practicable temperatures of use, substantially as set forth. i

32. A shoe-bottom filler, consisting of a normally substantially unchangeable, permanently-elastic, quick-setting mass, comnormally substantially unchangeable, permanently-elastic mass, composed of finelycomminuted filler material having each granule thinly coated with a permanentlytough binder containing a pasty component, substantially as set forth.

35. A shoe-bottom filler, consisting of a filler-body in a fragmentary condition,

thoroughly mixed with a binder into a permanently-tenacious, permanently-elastic and. moldable ,mass and containing a restraining agent normally inactive, but capable of being made active, upon applying the filler, So as to render the filler in the shoe-bottom non-shiftable and heat-resistant at practicable temperatures of use, substantially as set forth.

36.. A shoe-bottom filler, consisting of a filler-body in a fragmentary condition, thoroughly mixed with a binder into a permanently-tenacious, quick-setting, perinanently-elastic and moldable mass and containing a restraining agent normally inactive, but capable ofbeing made active, upon applying the filler, so 'as,to render the filler in the shoerbottom non-shiftable and heat resistant at practicable temperatures of use,

substantiallyas set forth.v .7

37. A shoe-bottom filler, consisting of a filler-body in a fragmentary condition, thoroughly mixed with a binder into a permanently-tenacious, sleek under thesmoothing iron, permanently-elasticand moldable mass and containing a restraining agent normally inactive, but capable of being made active, upon applying the filler, so as to render the filler in the shoe-bottom nonshiftable and heat-resistant at practicable temperatures of use, substantially as set forth.

38. A shoe-bottom filler, consisting of a filler-body in a fragmentary .condition,

thoroughly mixed with a binder into a perm'anently tenacious,

permanently elastic and moldable mass and containing a restraining agent normally inactive, but capable of being made active, upon applying the filler, so as to render the fillerin the shoebottom non-shiftable tough and heat-resistant at practicable temperatures of use, substantially as set forth.

39 A shoe-bottom filler, consisting of comminuted filler, material mixed with a permanently-flexible, viscous-binder, in a permanently-elastic mass of a consistency suitable for application in the cavity between the innersole and outer sole of a shoe, said mass having a low melting-point, and containing a restraining agent, normally inactive, but capable of being made active,

- upon applyin the filler, so as to render the filler in thesioe-bottom heat-resistant under practicable temperatures of use, substantially as set forth.

. 40. A- shoe-bottom filler, consisting of comminuted filler material held together by a permanently-flexible, viscous-binder, in a,

comminuted filler material held together by a permanently-flexible, viscous-binder, in a permanently-elastic, sleek under the smoothing iron mass of a consistency suitable for application in'the cavity between the innersole and outcrsole of a shoe,'said mass having a low melting-point and being compressible and resilient when cold, and containing a restraining agent, normally inactive, but capable of being made active, upon applying the filler, so asto render the filler in the shoe-bottom heat-resistant under practicable temperatures of use, substantially as set forth. 7

42. A shoe-bottom filler, consisting of comminuted filler material held together by a permanently-flexible, viscous-binder, in a permanently-elastic mass of a consistency suitable for application in the cavity between the innersole and outer sole of a shoe, said mass having a. low melting-point and being compressible and resilient when cold, a'nd"containing a restraining agent, normally inactive, but capable of being made active, upon applying the filler, so as to render the filler in the shoe-bottom tough and heat-resistant under practicable tem peratures of use, substantially as 'set forth.

43. A shoe-bottom filler, consisting of a normally substantially unchangeable, permanently=elasti c, quick-setting mass finely comminuted cork tenaciously held together by a binder whose controllingingredient is resinous residuum of petroleum, modified by an ingredient of a pasty nature and having a hardening influence, substantially as set forth.

44. A shoe-bottom filler, consisting of a low mentling, non-oxidizing, permanentlyelastic, quick-setting mass containing resinous residuum of petroleum modified by a stiffening paste, substantially as set forth.

45. A shoe-bottom filler, consisting of a normally substantially unchapg'eable, per.-

manently-elastic, quick-setting. non-inflammable, water-repellent mass pliable and tenacious as described, yet stifi' in the shoe to prevent shifting or bunc hing in use, and containing sticky residuum of petroleum modified by a starchy paste, substantially'as set forth.

46. A shoe-bottom filler, consisting of granular cork and filler-binder united together in a granular form for the market, having each granule of cork enveloped by the binder in a state maintaining the filler mass in a granular condition with the bind ing qualities maintained latent but capable of development for use.

47. A shoebottom filler, consisting of comminuted filler material having each grain separately enveloped with a coating of normally sticky adhesive material, combined with neutralizing means for rendering the stickiness inactive, in such proportions that the filler mass is substantially without cohesion and its granular condition is substantially preserved for quick handling and segregating in use by the shoe operatlve. 48. The herein described filler, comprismg a granular substance having a coating of normally stifi glutinous material, and. an adhesive binder restrained from said granular substance by said coating, substantially as set forth.

-19. The method of modifying a cementitlous compound, which consists in uniting with it, an agent of a stiffening character and of a paste-forming nature, in such propOl'tlOIl that the temperature range of permanent-elasticity of the compound is extended to the limits of practicable conditions of use, substantially as set forth.

50. The method of making a shoe filler, which consists in uniting with the granular filler mass, a sticky mucilaginous component having a normal tendency to harden and become brittle when set, and a softening, heat-fluxing, waterproofing component in proportion to modify said normal hardening tendency of said other component so as to render the filler mass permanently pliable and cohesive, substantially as set forth.

51. The method of modifying a cementitious pliable compound, which consists in uniting with it, an agent of a stiffening character and of a paste-forming nature, said agent being introduced in an inactive state and thus maintained until the compound is to be used,and then rendering said agent active by introducing moisture thereto, said agent being in such proportion that when rendering active, it renders the compound heat-resistant to the extent of remaining firm under practicable conditions of temperature in use without becoming fragile and rigid, substantially as set forth.

52. The method of modifying a waxy binder for shoe-filling material,-which consists in uniting with it, an agent of a stifiening character, and of a pasty nature, in such t proportion that the temperature range of= minuted stilfening agent, a potential compermanent elasticity of the binder isextended to the limits of practicable conditions of use of the shoe, substantially as set forth.

53. The method of making an elastic, quick-setting binder for shoe-filling material consisting in adding to a base of a pitchy nature, arestraining or stifiening agent of a pasty nature in such proportions that when the filling material is added to the binder, the resulting filler is firm under practicable conditionsof temperature in use, and elastic, substantially asset forth.

54:. The method of making an elastic, quick-settin binder for shoe-filling material consisting in adding to a base of a pitchy nature, a restraining or stiffening agent of a pasty nature in such proportions that when the filling material is added to the binder, the resulting filler is firm under practicable conditions of temperature in use,

elastic, and sleek under the smoothing iron,

substantially as set forth.

55. The method of making an'elastic, quick-setting binder for shoe-filling material consistmg in adding to a base of a pitchy nature such as wax tailings, a restraining or stifiening agent of a pasty nature in such proportions that when the fill-- ing material is added to the binder, the resulting filler is firm under practicable conditions of temperature in use, and elastic, substantially as set forth.

56. The method of making a permanentlyelastic, quick-setting binder for shoe-filling material consisting in adding to a sticky or tacky base, such a proportion of restraincr of a pasty nature that when filling material and the binder are mixed and ready for application to a shoe, the resulting shoe-filling material is firm under practicable'conditions of temperature in use, elastic and sleek under the smoothing iron, substantially as set forth.

57. The method of modifying a binder for shoe-filling material, the base of which is substantially Wax tailings which consists 1n adding and stifiening agent of a pasty nature, that the tacky or sticky nature of the tailings is subdued to such an extent that the filler is sleek when the smodthing knife is applied to it, substantially as set forth.

58. The method. of making a shoe filler, which consists in thoroughly intermingling comminuted filler material, a potential comminuted stiffening agent, and a sticky binder until each granule of the filler material is coated with said ingredients, and

-thereafter supplying means to develop the stiffening qualities of said stiffening agent, substantiaily as set forth.

59. The method of making a shoe tiller, which consists in thoroughly intermingling oorr-ininuted filler material, a potential comminuted chemical agent capable of subsequently dissolving and sw'ellmg said stiifenin agent into a pasty condition, and softening component until each granule of the filler material is coated with said ingredients, and thereafter supplying developin means to bring about the mucilaginous union of all of said ingredients, substantially as set forth.

60. The method of making a shoe-bottom filler, which consists in coatm granules of comminuted filler material with a stiffeningforming" agent primarily, and in then mixing said'granules so coated with a permanently-sticky binder, substantially as set forth.

such a proportion of a toughening I 61. The method of making a shoe-bottom filler, which consists in enveloping granules of comminuted filler material with a stiffening-forming agent in an inactive state, then mixing said granules so enveloped with a permanently-sticky binder, and finally introducing a quickening ingredient for developing in the compound the stifi'ening effect of said agent, substantially as set forth.

62. The method of making a shoe-bottom filler, which consists in coating granules of comminuted filler material with a stiffening agent in a powdered state, then mixing said granules so coated with a sticky binder, and

subsequently adding a moistener for the stiffening agent, substantially as set forth.

63. The method of making a shoe-bottom filler, which consists in coating granules of comminuted filler material with a potential stiffening agent, then mixing said coated granules with a sticky binder, and supplying means to develop the stiifening qualities of said stiffening agent, substantially as set forth.

64. The method of making a shoe-bottom filler, which consists in coating granules of comminuted filler material, such as cork, with a starchy powder, such as wheat flour, then, mixing said coated granules with a permanently-sticky and elastic binder, and finally subjecting the mixture to the action of steam whereby the starchy powder is converted into a paste, substantially as set forth.

65. The method of making a shoe'bottom filler, which consists in sprinkling upon granules of cork dry flour, stirring the granules to distribute the flour even y thereon, mixing the granules so treated with a sticky binder containing wax tailings, and subjecting this mixture to the action of steam whereby the'starch becomes converted into a paste distributed evenly throughout the binder, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ANDREW THOMA.

Witnesses:

M. J. SPALDING, EDWARD MAXWELL. 

